DOH records 1,091 road crash injuries over four days
The Department of Health (DOH) on Sunday said it recorded 1,091 cases of road crash injuries across 161 hospitals in the country from March 29 to April 2, or from Palm Sunday to Holy Thursday.
This was 150-percent higher compared to the number of incidents in the same period last year, which recorded only 437 road crash injuries, the agency said in a statement. However, the DOH clarified that the increase may be a result of more hospitals being included in this year’s report.
Based on the data from the agency, majority of the injuries consisted of abrasions, open wounds or lacerations, contusions, fractures and avulsions, or forcible tearing of one body part from another.
Central Luzon had the most number of road crash injuries with 196 cases, followed by Davao Region with 161 and Ilocos Region with 159.
Most of those who got injured were men, accounting for 72 percent or 738 of the total cases, the DOH noted. Of all the males who got injured, 167 or 15.3 percent were 20 to 24 years old.
The DOH further pointed out that 783 or 72 percent of all road crash injuries were from incidents involving motorcycles.
It noted that 944, or 87 percent of the road crash injuries, involved drivers who had not worn any safety gear, while 118, or 11 percent of the incidents, involved drivers who were driving after drinking alcohol. Meanwhile, 84 or 8 percent of the injuries involved pedestrians.
The DOH called on motorists to remain safe on the road by making sure to wear proper safety gear, avoid drinking before driving and follow traffic rules.
Inspections continue
Also on Sunday, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said all of its regional offices have been instructed to ensure the continued inspection of public utility vehicles (PUVs) as millions of Filipinos are expected to go back home after Holy Week.
“Ensuring the road worthiness of PUVs is part of road safety measures. We expect bus companies and operators to do their share in this effort and on the part of the LTFRB, we will be there to check if they are doing their job,” LTFRB Chair Vigor Mendoza II said in a statement.
He added that the agency’s regional offices will be required to submit compliance reports regarding the inspection and other safety measures that were conducted during Holy Week.
Moreover, LTFRB personnel were also ordered to coordinate with other law enforcement agencies when it comes to ensuring the mental and physical readiness of drivers.
The LTFRB noted that a number of drivers tested positive during surprise drug tests previously conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in various bus terminals and PUV hubs across the country.
Aside from PUVs, Mendoza also called on private car owners to drive safely and ensure that their vehicles are properly maintained.
